Well, that was a hot one.
Have a good weekend,
Mr Marler…
…of course I am joking, but the heat can make us feel like that!
It really has been a challenging and difficult week for everyone and certainly an unprecedented experience for me during my time in education. Snow days and lockdowns present their own special challenges, but these sorts of temperatures are something else.
First and foremost, thank you for your understanding. As the week has unfolded, we have had to adapt on a daily and almost hourly basis, and I know that every decision we have made has impacted you and the children. There have been some really tricky decisions to make. As always, every single one has been made with the wellbeing and safety of the children at the forefront of my mind. As an individual, I am always determined to ‘carry on’ and ‘find a way’, but this was one of those rare weeks when the sensible course of action was to stop, adapt and accept that nature had other plans. The weather had won, and our job became doing everything we could to continue delivering an education in what were pretty extreme conditions.
I must say a massive thank you to all the staff this week. Pennthorpe staff are incredibly committed and will always do whatever they can for the good of the children, but this week really has meant going above and beyond. Despite the temperatures, they have continued to look after the children, keep them safe, and continue smiling every single day. Thank you all – you are incredible.
We have still had a busy week of events and activities, despite the weather, and I must say well done to our Year 7 and 8 pupils who spent the week in the Forest of Dean. Luckily, temperatures were a little lower than they were in Rudgwick and the children still managed to complete their residential. With adaptations and changes along the way, they were able to enjoy a truly memorable time. A massive thank you to Mrs Partridge, Mr Barnett and Mr Franklin, who spent the week with them, keeping them safe and ensuring they enjoyed the experience despite the challenges. In other year groups, Year 5 completed their Pre-Test Experience Week, Year 4 celebrated the self-named ‘Freedom Day’ and enjoyed a trip to Go Ape today, Year 1 had a Royal Day to remember on Thursday, and our Goblin Race Team spent Friday morning fine-tuning their car ahead of race day at Goodwood Motor Circuit on Sunday!
It is the first time in many years that Pennthorpe has built and entered the Greenpower: Gathering of the Goblins race, and I am incredibly excited to say that I will be there on the start line with Miss Ras and our Goblin Team on Sunday. If you are in the area and fancy coming down to watch, we will be at Goodwood Motor Circuit from 7:30am (!) until around 4:00pm on Sunday – wish us luck!
This week, interviews have taken place for our Year 4 maternity cover position for next year. We were incredibly lucky to have four very strong candidates during this round of recruitment. It is always difficult when the field is so strong, but what a lovely problem to have. All candidates taught a lesson observed by Miss Gallina Breese and Mrs Tso, were interviewed by myself and Mr Lindfield, and took part in a pupil panel session observed by Miss Goddard. The team will be considering the decision over the weekend ahead of making an offer on Monday. As soon as this has been confirmed, it will be communicated to Year 4 parents and then to the wider parent body.
Next week sees three major events in the Pennthorpe calendar: Moving Up Day, Meet the Teacher and the Year 1–8 Prize Giving. These events give us the opportunity to look towards September whilst also reflecting on an incredible year.
Moving Up Day will take a slightly different approach from previous years and will be a purposeful, memorable and genuinely valuable experience for our pupils as they prepare for the year ahead. The day will focus on new responsibilities, relationships, teachers, cohorts and opportunities rather than simply repeating a ‘normal timetable’ in a new classroom. Children will take part in ice-breaker sessions, team-building activities and collaborative challenges with their new year group teachers and peers before a whole-school BBQ lunch at 12:30pm and further activities in the afternoon. We are really excited about this change and believe it will give children a much better understanding of what September will look like for them.
In my communication last week, I spoke about the new Pennthorpe Strategic Vision, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many of you asked me about it this week. It is exciting to be looking forward from such a position of strength and planning not only for the year ahead, but for the long-term future of the school. On Thursday, the Governors gave their input and confirmed that they are fully supportive of the direction and plans for the school. Whilst this document continues to evolve and develop, I would very much value the early thoughts of you, as parents, on how we are shaping the school.
If you are interested in being part of a working group to offer your thoughts and insight at this stage, please could I ask you to complete this form. With such a busy couple of weeks ahead, it is likely to involve a couple of hours in school during the first few weeks of the holidays. The aim would be to share some of the key elements of the plan with you, talk through my vision, and invite your thoughts from a parent perspective. I can also throw in an air-conditioned office and tea and coffee in return!
Finally, thank you to all those parents who have taken the time at drop-off, pick-up and via email to check in on the staff this week. I speak a lot about ‘community’, and they do say that it is during the tougher (or hotter!) times that communities come together most strongly. I have certainly felt that this week, and I know the staff have too.
